In the SJ Update mailbag this morning…

I am Colleen Kenimond and I am the adult public defender for San Juan County. This is my sixth year in this position, and my 24^th in criminal practice both as a defender and as a senior deputy prosecutor in other counties. Normally I would not broadcast my personal beliefs about who should be prosecutor in the event my clients and their families might be harmed by those personal beliefs.

This prosecutorial election is too important for me to remain silent.

I endorse Nick Power for county prosecutor. I do so from a vantage point of nearly a quarter century of experience on both sides of the courtroom and significant prior experience as a substitute judge for district court in two counties. I know what it takes to be a good prosecutor. Nick has what it takes.

I have known Nick since I first began serving as public defender here. I know him to be of high integrity and completely transparent. He does the right thing whether anyone is looking or not. He is as committed to the constitutions of the United States and Washington as anyone I know. We finally have a highly qualified alternative to the incumbent. It is time to clean house. Please pick up your brooms and dusters and join me.

“Power for the People” isn’t just a catchy phrase. It’s the truth.

Thank you for your kind attention.

Most sincerely,
Colleen Kenimond

Atlantic Salmon net pen – Contributed photo

UPDATED – The SJ Update has just learned there will be another event here on San Juan Island as well. So – 2 events, One at the UW Labs on August 8, and one on Orcas in Eastsound on August 9th…

This past March, Washington state successfully passed a law phasing out open-water Atlantic salmon aquaculture from Puget Sound.  While this law represents an unprecedented environmental success, Our Sound, Our Salmon is launching a new campaign to educate the public about a debilitating and potentially lethal salmonid virus remaining in Puget Sound Atlantic salmon net pens that cannot be ignored until 2022.

You’re invited to join Kurt Beardslee of Wild Fish Conservancy for a public discussion on PRV (Piscine Reovirus) in Puget Sound.

Kurt will explain what recent science reveals about the virus and how exposure to PRV-infected farmed fish places our native salmonids at risk.  He’ll review the results of recent PRV-testing in Puget Sound farmed Atlantic salmon and what these results suggest about the potential scale of infection in the remaining net pens. 

Kurt will also discuss Our Sound, Our Salmon’s efforts to stand in solidarity with B.C. First Nations as they petition the Canadian government to remove PRV-infected fish farms from their ancestral waters. Finally, learn all about Our Sound, Our Salmon’s new campaign to ensure PRV-infected farmed Atlantic salmon are removed from Puget Sound and how you can support these efforts.

The presentations will be followed by a Q and A. Continue Reading

San Juan Community Theatre is proud to have launched a new Musical Theatre Production Fund.

A very generous donor has provided a $10,000 matching gift honoring the Beauty and the Beast production team, led by Director Carol Hooper. The fund will help to cover production costs for SJCT’s upcoming musicals.

If you would like to donate to the fund, you can do so at www.sjctheatre.org, or you can contact SJCT’s Executive Artistic Director, Nathan Kessler-Jeffrey, at [email protected], before the September 30th donation deadline.

Any and all donations are welcome, as they will help to continue to bring more and even higher quality musicals to life on the SJCT stage.

Sandy Strehlou writes to ask for your participation in this FMP Update…

You may have heard that the County is preparing to update the Fairgrounds Master Plan. A consulting firm has been hired to help solicit public input and provide guidance in crafting the plan. The update will direct fairgrounds development, maintenance and activities for the next ten or more years.

I am writing to you to encourage you to complete the survey (link provided https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SJCFMasterPlan) and to stop by the Master Plan Consultants booth at the upcoming Fair.

The fairgrounds is an important resource, cultural landscape, and a meeting place. It is perhaps the one place that I can think of that brings islanders from all islands together for the Fair each year. This alone makes it a historic cultural landscape, one that we need to work together to protect and preserve. Continue Reading

San Juan Brewing Takes Home Top Place for Their ESB at the Washington State Brewers Awards

Friday Harbor— July 27, 2018 —San Juan Brewing Company proudly took home a Gold medal in the ESB (Extra Special Bitter) category at the Washington State Brewery association awards.  With over 390 breweries in Washington State taking home any prize is a feat – let alone less then a year after opening.  

Jesse Visciglia had this to say about the award “The ESB, a fantastic beer, exemplifies our dedication to beers that are balanced, highly drinkable and made with the highest quality ingredients in the world”

Bull Kelp ESB

The beer was chosen in a blind taste test by a panel of experts. Sean Aylward said, “We are incredibly proud to win this award and it is a great testament to Jesse’s skills as our head brewer and the commitment we all have to producing high-quality beer ”.  

The award-winning beer can be found on tap at the San Juan Brewery and select restaurants and bars in San Juan, Skagit and Whatcom county.  

San Juan Brewing company opened July 28, 2017 by two third-generation island brothers who love good beer and good food.  San Juan Island Brewing Company (SJIBC) is your local, independent craft brewery serving traditional Ales and Lagers that represent the delicate balance of flavor and drinkability. Enjoy your SJIBC Brew along side exceptional Wood Stone fired Pizza, Burgers, and other Pub style offerings.

Students from four countries competed as the Dougeldyne/Flechtel Corporation – Contributed photo

After 42 hours of design and preparation, the Friday Harbor Aerospace Team and associate schools from Texas, Colorado, Pakistan, India and the UK placed second at the International Space Settlement Design Competition World Championship. According to the judges, the margin between the first and second place team was paper-thin, the decision coming after three hours of deliberation.

Despite falling short of being World Champions the experience has only made the FHHS teams’ resolve stronger to make it back to Internationals next year while giving the team incredibly valuable experience with the Request for Proposal process, cross cultural communications, and a design challenge that asks too much while giving too little time. 

Overall, the judges lauded the team’s design for a city on the moon geared to entice space businesses to establish a foothold in an emerging space economy. The team produced what was easily the best presentation of the day, both incredibly personable and detailed.  Continue Reading

Here’s the monthly History Column for August from San Juan Historical Society and Museum…

Determining provenance is a particular element of historical research. As viewers of PBS Television’s Antiques Roadshow know, provenance is “a record of ownership of a work of art or an antique, used as a guide to authenticity or quality.”

The provenance of this item from the Museum’s collection is a little sketchy, but what is certain is that it is a piece of folk art in a category known as “Sailors Woolworks.” These are commonly called “woolies” or “string pictures.” Sailors Woolworks are relatively rare in the collector’s market today. They were typically designed and stitched by American and British sailors during the years roughly between 1840 and 1915.

This particular piece measures 40.5 inches by 31 inches, including the wood frame. A common scene on a “woolie” would include a sailing ship, oftentimes displayed with a flag in the background. This one features a gaff-headed schooner and two flags — one American and one British. One can assume this is a reference to the Pig War era of our region’s history. An attached label stated that it was found under the lighthouse at Cattle Point on San Juan Island. Continue Reading

Merri Ann Simonson is back with this San Juan Island Lifestyle video that shares boating mishaps and issues that can occur while you are having fun boating…

K25 breach – Photo by Ken Balcomb, Center for Whale Research

In the SJ Update mailbag, we have this letter to you written by Christopher Wilson of San Juan Island…

I quote Ken Balcomb’s blog found at www.whaleresearch.com/blog.

I am writing out of a deep concern for the continued survival of the Southern resident orca pods that have lived much the year for millennia around the San Juan Island area where I also live.

These whales are starving.

Ken Balcomb, Ph.D. and founder of the Center for Whale Research, has studied these whales since 1974 and it is very clear that they are in serious trouble now. He states “One thing is for sure: The survival of the Southern resident orcas will not wait for more United States and Canadian government meetings and scientific reports. Too much money has already been spent and is still being wasted. The salmon lost in years past should be evidence enough to convince decision makers that specific action needs addressing immediately.” The most realistic cure for this situation is the removal of the four lower Snake River dams. It would be good to give the whales more space or a quieter environment as well as to remove all the toxins but by itself that is only prolonging the inevitable. They need more food first and foremost. Continue Reading

Island Senior is a regular column on the SJ Update written by Peggy Sue McRae…

Mullis Center Pancakes – Peggy Sue McRae photo

August is a busy month at the Mullis Center. The month starts out by adding a special seasonal flourish to our first Sunday of the month (August 5) Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser: Adding fresh local berries and whipped cream to the popular menu of pancakes (all you can eat), scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, breakfast beverages (and don’t forget those awesome cinnamon rolls)! If you have summer guests, here is a fun, inexpensive breakfast out ($6 adults – $4 kids – cinnamon rolls $4/each) that also supports your local seniors. Breakfast is served from 9 am to noon but be advised, the famous cinnamon rolls have been selling out! Many thanks to the volunteers who put on this fun and tasty event.

Another event you won’t want to miss is the Summer Book Event happening on Saturday evening, August 11 at 7-9pm. Center Manager, Anna Coffelt, local authors Susan Wingate, Janet Dann, and Stan the Wine Man have planned an entertaining literary evening “of books and beverages, meeting & greeting, and book signings and one-on-one conversations with local authors”. Attendance is free. Wine and sparkling water will be available to purchase and authors will have books for sale.

Books by Local Authors

Continue Reading

During Fair week, there are demonstrations, activities & games each day – for all ages.  Check our Information Kiosks or online schedule at www.sjcfair.org for more info. You won’t want to miss out on the fun!

The San Juan Nature Institute and Friday Harbor Labs are bringing a TOUCH TANK. This one is filled with sea critters and sea plants and loaded with information to help us understand and help keep our Salish Sea neighbors alive and thriving. Stop by and visit with Fiona Norris (who is also our esteemed Flower Superintendent) at the Ag Tent on Thursday, 10:30-11:30. It’s a short window because the critters need to get back to their natural habitat, our Salish Sea!

Introducing a NEW Summer Lunch Series for those of you who can’t get enough of Fair Food and good music! Stop in on any day for a reduced-price ticket, just $5.00 (no ins and outs) and listen to ChoroLoco on Wednesday, Carolyn Cruso on Thursday, and Teddy Dean on Friday.  ChoroLoco is acoustic, melodic and rhythmic Brazilian music. Orcas Islander, Carolyn Cruso plays dulcimer, flute, guitar AND she sings! San Juan Islander, Teddy Dean, whom most of you already know plays sax and keyboard and is famous for his 15 years with the Holy Modal Rounders. Continue Reading

Safe Shippers and Friends of the San Juans share this with you…

Our beloved and endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales (SRKWs) suffered another loss this week. The world heard the news of J35’s deceased calf and sent back words of alarm and sympathy to us here in the Salish Sea. We mourn together – Let’s take action together.

In 2005, our Southern Resident orcas numbered 88 when they were listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. Today, they are down to just 75 whales — the lowest number in 30 years. They need all of our help, and they need it now!

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What You Can Do Today to Help the Orca:

The Salish Sea includes the core summer foraging area for our SRKWs where 1,500 salmon are required each day to sustain their population (at least 80% of the SRKWs’ diet consists of Chinook salmon). That means the orca need at least 500,000 salmon a year if the population is to grow*. Continue Reading

Bicyclists take a break – Sam Leigh photo

There’s a new bicycle rest area on the island. About 3 miles from town on Roche Harbor Road, Sam Leigh and Paul Hopkins have made a nice place for bicyclists to stop for a bit and relax, and maybe make a minor repair or adjustment and sit on a couple of lawn chairs in the shade under a tree.

When asked what was their inspiration, Sam said: “We have already seen many cyclists stop in the driveway. And when we got the yard fenced the idea came to mind to create the little cutout. We would like it to be something visible and rest “worthy”…  there is still another 6.7 miles to get to Roche Harbor!”

There’s a tic-tac-toe board on the picnic table for those so inclined and lots of bicycle yard art for added ambience. Coming soon will be a cooler with drinking water.

You’ve probably seen the bike wheels decorating the fence as you went past. It’s about half way between Seaview Lane and Three Meadows Lane.

M/V Yakima emerges from the fog as it arrives in Friday Harbor – Tim Dustrude photo

Did you hear the ferries blowing their horns in the fog Sunday morning? It was foggy in the harbor right up until the Yakima arrived at 7:45. And then, just like that, the fog crept away. You could almost see it retreating.

Foggy Harbor – Tim Dustrude photo

Next Monday, August 6th from 4:30 to 6:30 you’re invited to come to Brickworks to help celebrate Bob Chapman’s life.

There will be food, pictures, paintings and stories.

Come share your story about this sweet character.

ISSDC Team – Contributed photo

The following story was written by Daniel Garner…

The Friday Harbor High School Aerospace Design Team has passed the 24-hour mark of the 42-hour International Space Settlement Design Competition world championship (ISSDC).

Held at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the ISSDC brings in 250 high school students from nine countries to take part in an aerospace industry simulation. These 250 students are divided into four multinational teams of 60+ individuals. Their mission: Design a space settlement for 18,000 residents on the moon. This year, the Friday Harbor team joins forces with teams from Durango, Colorado; Lahore, Pakistan; Kolkata, India; Edinburgh, Scotland; and London, England. Combined, these teams form an Aerospace Corporation named “Dougeldyne Astrosystems” tasked with designing the planning, construction, operations, infrastructure and automated systems of a fully functional city set into a crater on the moon’s surface in the year 2043.

The ISSDC world finals gives teams 42 hours to create a space settlement, after which the teams brief NASA and aerospace industry judges with a 50-slide design presentation on Monday morning. Friday Harbor students involved in this year’s ISSDC World Championship earned their way to NASA by winning the Northwest Semi-Finals in April, and bring their experience designing moon-based habitations with them. Continue Reading